After a bumpy week last week, investors seemed to come back from the weekend with a bit of pep in their steps. The ASX 200 stayed in green territory all session, and ended up closing 0.17% higher today. That leaves the index at 8,679.7 points.

This happy start to the week for the Australian markets followed an even bubblier close to the American trading week on Friday night (our time).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) put on a heck of a show, gaining 0.93%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) wasn't quite as euphoric, but still managed a 0.48% rise.

But let's return to this week and our local markets now for a closer look at what was happening amongst the different ASX sectors this Monday.

Winners and losers

Despite the broader market's lift, there were still a few corners of the market that went backwards today.

Leading those losers were gold shares. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) was hit hard today, plunging 1.57%.

Broader mining stocks weren't much better, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) tanking by 1.34%.

Tech shares were also unlucky. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) saw its value cut by 0.74% today.

Energy stocks weren't finding buyers either, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 0.22% dip.

Industrial shares didn't find much love. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) slid 0.19% lower this session.

We could say something similar for consumer discretionary stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) slipping 0.02%.

That's it for the losers, though.

Turning to the green sectors now, it was healthcare shares that played the starring role today. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) saw a 1.49% surge this Monday.

Utilities stocks ran hot as well, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 1.17% jump.

Financial shares were also in demand. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) had roared 1.16% higher by the closing bell.

Consumer staples stocks didn't miss out, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) vaulting up 0.83%.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) saw some comfortable gains, too. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) added 0.57% to its tally.

Finally, communications shares slid home unscathed, evident by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.32% bump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Our top stock this Monday was gold miner Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST). Northern Star shares soared 56.15% higher this session to finish at $23.47 each.

This came after news that the company was approached for a takeover.

Here's the rest of today's best:

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Everyday investors weighing up Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL) and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) shares could find themselves facing a classic income-versus-stability puzzle. Both companies are big names on the ASX, offer strong brands, and pay fully franked dividends. But there are major differences in size, recent performance, and dividend yield. So, which of these consumer stocks deserves a spot in a dividend-hunter's portfolio right now?

The case for Super Retail Group

Super Retail Group operates some of Australia and New Zealand's most recognisable retail brands, including Supercheap Auto, Rebel, BCF, and Macpac. It's a go-to retailer for auto parts, sporting goods, and camping and outdoor gear. According to its most recent public description, the group oversees more than 700 stores, plus online stores, and sources products internationally. Supercheap Auto alone brings in the largest slice of sales revenue.

Three stand-out fundamentals grab my attention. First, Super Retail Group's fully franked dividend yield comes in at a hefty 5.28%, based on current data. Second, its P/E ratio is 13.59, suggesting a much lower valuation than Wesfarmers, at least on current earnings. Third, despite a steady dividend record, its shares have been under pressure, sporting a year-to-date return of -19.2% as of the latest figures.

On the dividend front, Super Retail Group has shown a long history of consistent, fully franked dividends, with regular interim and final payouts, plus some special dividends in recent years. The latest annual dividend was 65 cents per share, again fully franked.

The case for Wesfarmers

Wesfarmers is one of Australia's largest conglomerates, with operations spread across retail (Bunnings, Kmart, Officeworks, Priceline), chemicals, energy, and fertilisers, among other sectors. It's a diversified powerhouse that brings the kind of stability you'd expect from a business with more than a century of history and a mix of non-retail exposure.

If I zero in on fundamentals, Wesfarmers' market cap is huge at $83.73 billion, reflecting its scale and diversification. Its fully franked dividend yield is 3.03%—lower than Super Retail Group, but still respectable for a blue chip name. The P/E ratio is 28.93, which is more than twice that of Super Retail Group, making it look much pricier if we compare purely on that basis. Its year-to-date return is -6.8%, meaning it's held up better than Super Retail Group across recent volatility, though it's still down for the year.

Dividend history is another positive. Wesfarmers has also maintained a steady rhythm of fully franked dividends, including interim and final payments, with some occasional specials.

Valuation comparison

Here's how some key metrics stack up:

Wesfarmers' P/E is notably higher than Super Retail Group's P/E, meaning you're paying a larger multiple for each dollar of earnings. As for dividends, Super Retail Group is hands-down ahead on headline yield, and both companies offer fully franked payouts.

Recent share price performance

Let's look at how the shares have performed in the short term. Comparing the period until 23 September:

• Super Retail Group closed at $12.43, having shown some volatility and a year-to-date decline of -19.2%.
• Wesfarmers closed at $73.79, with less severe declines and a year-to-date return of -6.8%.

This suggests that while neither company has been immune from market volatility, Wesfarmers shares have been much more resilient in 2026 so far.

Which is the better buy?

If I had to pick a consumer stock for dividends right now, I'd lean toward Super Retail Group. Its forward dividend yield of 5.28%, fully franked, is a clear standout versus Wesfarmers' 3.03%. The company has a consistent payout history—and while the recent price decline might feel uncomfortable, it's exactly this weakness that's pushed up the yield and left the stock trading on a much lower earnings multiple.

Of course, Wesfarmers offers scale, diversification, and stability that you just don't get with a smaller, focused retailer like Super Retail Group. Its size might make it the steadier option for risk-averse investors and its business mix is broader, but if I'm focused on dividend income and value, Super Retail Group currently looks more appealing based on the fundamentals visible here.

That said, neither company has escaped this year's broader market negativity, and anyone considering either name should be mindful of why sentiment has cooled. Still, right now, Super Retail Group's high, fully franked dividend yield and modest P/E ratio tip the scales for me, as long as you're comfortable with some short-term volatility.

The post Super Retail Group vs Wesfarmers: Dividend showdown for Aussie investors appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) is down 0.4% to 3,477 points in late morning trade.

This means the sector has now fallen almost 13% in 2026 and 23% over the past year.

It just shows how quickly sentiment towards retail stocks has changed this year.

And Morgan Stanley still sees plenty to worry about from here.

Why is Morgan Stanley still cautious?

According to The Australian, Morgan Stanley has taken another look at the retail sector following the latest reporting season.

And the broker is still cautious about FY27, even after the falls we've already seen across retail stocks.

Analyst Melinda Baxter and her colleagues said "discretionary stocks have de-rated, but earnings risks remain".

Consumer spending held up better than Morgan Stanley expected through FY26, but the broker still sees some risks ahead for households.

There are a few reasons for that.

The RBA has lifted the cash rate 3 times this year, taking it to 4.35%.

Many mortgage holders are now paying more on their loans than they were at the start of 2026.

Consumer confidence has taken another hit as well.

The Westpac-Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index fell 5.2% to 84.4 in September.

Westpac said petrol prices had moved back above $2 a litre, while concerns about another RBA rate hike were weighing on households.

The housing market has also started going backwards.

National home prices fell 0.2% in August, marking a fifth consecutive monthly decline from their March peak.

Morgan Stanley thinks all of this could make shoppers a little more careful about where they spend their money.

The broker expects consumers to focus more on value, replacement purchases and promotions as household budgets get tighter.

Which ASX shares does Morgan Stanley prefer?

Morgan Stanley isn't negative on every retailer, but it has still cut price targets across its discretionary retail coverage.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) was one of the few stocks to get some good news.

The Bunnings and Kmart owner was upgraded from underweight to equal-weight, with Morgan Stanley pointing to its more stable margins.

Wesfarmers shares are up 0.39% to $73.15 today.

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN) went the other way.

Morgan Stanley downgraded the stock from equal-weight to underweight, pointing to its franchise model and exposure to the housing market.

Harvey Norman shares are down 0.96% to $4.13 in Friday trade.

The broker also remains cautious on JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) and Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL).

Morgan Stanley has kept both stocks at underweight, with the shares trading at $65.77 and $12.37, respectively.

The post ASX retail shares are down 13% in 2026. Here's what Morgan Stanley is worried about appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

That's because listed below are three top ASX shares that could be great picks for income investors.

Here's what you need to know about them:

HomeCo Daily Needs REIT (ASX: HDN)

The first ASX dividend share to consider is HomeCo Daily Needs REIT.

This property company owns a portfolio of neighbourhood retail, large-format retail, healthcare, and other assets linked to everyday spending.

Its tenants include supermarkets, pharmacies, healthcare providers, childcare operators, pet stores, and other businesses that people continue to use through different economic conditions.

I think this gives HomeCo Daily Needs REIT an attractive income profile. Rental income is supported by a diverse tenant base, while the focus on daily needs can make the portfolio more defensive than property assets that rely heavily on discretionary spending.

For income investors, that combination of recurring rent and a portfolio built around practical, well-used properties could make this a solid long-term option.

Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL)

Another ASX dividend share I would look at is Super Retail Group.

It owns some of Australia's best-known retail brands. This includes Supercheap Auto, rebel, BCF, and Macpac, which have built strong positions in their respective markets.

Supercheap Auto benefits from ongoing spending on vehicle maintenance and accessories, BCF is well established in outdoor recreation, rebel is a major sporting goods retailer, and Macpac gives the group exposure to outdoor clothing and equipment. That creates several different sources of earnings under one roof.

Retail spending can be up and down, but Super Retail has established brands, a large store network, and loyal customer bases.

If the company can keep generating strong cash flow from these businesses, it should remain well placed to reward shareholders with dividends over time.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

A final ASX dividend share for income investors to consider is Woolworths Group.

Woolworths is at the centre of everyday household spending thanks to its vast supermarket operations. That makes it quite different from many retailers, which may struggle when consumers are under pressure to watch their spending.

And while Woolworths is not necessarily the ASX share investors would choose for the highest dividend yield, it could be a good option for someone building a diversified dividend portfolio.

After all, its combination of defensive earnings, strong cash generation, and a long history of returning money to shareholders is attractive.

The post Where to invest $5,000 into ASX dividend shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Monday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to edge lower

The Australian share market looks set for a soft start to the week following a poor session on Wall Street on Friday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 1 point lower. In the United States, the Dow Jones was down 0.5%, the S&P 500 dropped 0.4%, and the Nasdaq fell 0.3%.

Oil prices rise

It could be a positive start to the week for ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) after oil prices rose on Friday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price was up 0.2% to US$91.48 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price was up 0.8% to US$96.28 a barrel. Oil prices charged higher last week amid an escalation in US-Iran tensions.

Buy Seek shares

Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK) shares could be in the buy zone according to Gray Perry Wealth Advisers. This morning, according to The Bull, its team has named job listings giant Seek as a buy this week. It said: "Despite softer job-ad volumes, fiscal year 2026 net revenue rose 10 per cent and EBITDA increased 15 per cent, demonstrating pricing power and operational resilience. We're forecasting earnings to grow about 9.5 per cent annually in the next two years. An improving return on equity and a healthy dividend further support the investment case." 

Gold price tumbles

It could be a poor start to the week for ASX 200 gold shares Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) after the gold price tumbled on Friday night. According to CNBC, the gold futures price was down 1.4% to US$4,476.6 an ounce. Traders were selling gold after strong US jobs data boosted rate hike bets.

ASX 200 shares going ex-dividend

Another group of ASX 200 shares are going ex-dividend this morning and could trade lower. Among them are healthcare technology company Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME), gold miners Alkane Resources Ltd (ASX: ALK) and Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU), investment platform provider Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB), and retail conglomerate Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL). The latter will be paying shareholders a fully franked 33 cents per share final dividend on 29 September.

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Hundreds of S&P/ASX All Ords Index (ASX: XAO) companies announced their next dividends during the EOFY reporting season.

We're helping you keep track of ex-dividend dates with an article every Friday.

Here is a sample of the ASX shares due to trade ex-dividend next week.

Remember, in order to receive a dividend, you must own the ASX share before its ex-dividend date.

ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week

Check out which ASX shares begin trading ex-dividend today.

The post 40 ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Amid earnings season, brokers continue to reassess their ratings and 12-month targets on ASX 200 shares post-results.

Let's check out some new notes from Morgans and Bell Potter.

Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL)

The Sonic Healthcare share price is $20.93, down 2.1% today and down 16% over 12 months. 

Bell Potter maintained its buy call on this ASX 200 healthcare share after reviewing the company's FY26 report.

The broker shaved its 12-month share price target down from $28.75 to $27.50.

This implies a possible 31% upside ahead.

Bell Potter commented:

SHL reported EBITDA of c.$1.92b (cc) which was within the guidance range of c.$1.87b – c.$1.95b.

On a reported basis, EBITDA of c.$1.93 was in line with consensus, but c.1.5% below BPe.

The result was impacted by a range of nonrecurring items that more than offset the one-off gain from the Brisbane lab sale &
leaseback transaction.

While the headline EBITDA margin was c.10bp lower than pcp, margins in the 2H showed meaningful improvement at c.19% v
c.16.7%.

Sonic Healthcare is benefitting from a broader sector rebound since 3 June.

The S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) has risen 41% since then, compared with a 3% bump for the ASX 200.

The Sonic Healthcare share price has improved 11% since 3 June.

Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL)

The Super Retail share price is $13.43, down 7.1% today and down 28% over 12 months. 

Morgans maintained its hold rating on the ASX 200 consumer discretionary share after reading the FY26 report.

The broker increased its 12-month share price target from $12.30 to $15.20.

This suggests a potential 13% upside ahead.

Morgans said: 

SUL delivered a better-than-expected FY26 result, as rebel World Cup tailwinds (+70% volume growth vs last WC), a resilient SCA through June and a lower tax rate (~26%) beat consensus normalised NPAT expectations by ~11%.

Gross margins remained stable at the group level (+10bps yoy) and trading through FY27 is mixed (SCA leading; BCF/rebel muted; and Macpac underperforming), with group LFL growth of +1.5% through the first seven weeks.

A positive update, driven by outperformance from SUL's core SCA/rebel brands, while BCF is continuing to progress on strategic initiatives (store format/fitment), delivering +5.5% total sales growth and cycling easing comps in the near-term.

Despite a solid start to FY27, we view the valuation (~14x PE) as reasonable relative to near-term growth expectations.

APA Group (ASX: APA)

The APA share price is $10.55, up 3.5% today and up 19% over 12 months. 

Morgans kept its trim rating on this ASX 200 utilities share in place after reviewing the FY26 results.

The broker has a 12-month share price target of $8.66.

This implies a potential 16% downside ahead.

Morgans explained its sell rating on APA shares: 

Operating earnings growth driven by inflation, new assets and cost-out.

Long-term capital management means earnings growth does not convert into DPS growth.

Forecast EBITDA upgrades from cost-outperformance.

APA has an attractive cash yield of 5.9% at current prices on FY27 DPS guidance, but share price downside risk is material.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Super Retail, APA, Sonic Healthcare shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

After opening in the green this morning, the ASX 200 spent the entire day in positive territory. Despite some bumpiness, the index ended up closing 0.33% higher at 9,083.8 points.

This happy session for ASX shares followed a similarly optimistic night over on Wall Street.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in a good mood, managing to rise 0.22%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared similarly, gaining 0.16%.

But let's get back to today and our local markets for a closer look at what was going on amongst the various ASX sectors this session.

Winners and losers

Despite today's good mood across the broader market, there were still a few sectors that went backwards.

Leading those losers were financial stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) was hit hard today, tanking by 1.93%.

Consumer staples shares were left out in the cold as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) sinking 1.17%.

Industrial stocks were also unlucky. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) slumped 1.05% this session.

Communications shares didn't find many buyers either, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.71% dive.

Next came consumer discretionary stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) copped a 0.27% slide this Thursday.

Our last losers this session were utilities shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) getting a 0.05% reduction.

Let's get to the winners now, though. Leading the green sectors today were gold stocks. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) had an absolute blowout, rocketing up a huge 8.39%.

Broader mining shares were also on fire, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 3.52% surge.

Tech stocks had a day to remember, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had roared 2.54% higher by the closing bell.

Healthcare shares lived up to their name as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) lifting 1.39%.

Energy stocks enjoyed another positive session. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) put on another 0.45%.

Finally, real estate investment trusts (REITs) got over the line, evident by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 0.13% jump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

It's very rare that we see ten ASX 200 shares all gain more than 10% in one day, but here we are. Today's winner did much better than 10%, though. Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) shares exploded 18.22% higher this session to finish at $3.05 each.

This followed the financial stock's latest earnings, which clearly made an impression.

Here's how the other top stocks tied up at the dock:

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Super Retail Group report?

• Group sales up 3.2% to $4.2 billion
• Normalised net profit after tax (NPAT) down 2.8% to $226 million; statutory NPAT down 7.2% to $206 million
• Statutory earnings per share of 91.2 cents; normalised EPS of 100 cents
• Fully franked final dividend of 33 cents per share; total ordinary dividends for FY26 at 65 cents per share
• Online sales up 5.3% to $552 million, now 13.1% of group sales
• Net debt of $14 million, conservative balance sheet

What else do investors need to know?

Super Retail Group's retail brands performed with mixed results. Rebel and Supercheap Auto delivered a strong top-line, while BCF faced softer trading, and Macpac's sales momentum moderated in the fourth quarter due to mild winter conditions. The group opened 28 new stores and closed 13, expanding its physical footprint across brands.

Operating costs grew on the back of network expansion, wage and occupancy inflation, and investment in technology, including a new payroll system and a new automated distribution centre in Victoria. Inventory levels increased due to new stores and tactical supply planning, with aged inventory within target range.

What did Super Retail Group management say?

Group Managing Director and CEO Paul Bradshaw said:

Super Retail Group delivered a solid FY26 result, achieving record sales in the face of significant headwinds that included geopolitical instability in the Middle East, unfavourable weather and increasing interest rate pressure on households… While challenges in the broader retail landscape remain, I'm confident we have the team and strategy in place to meet evolving customer needs and deliver future growth.

What's next for Super Retail Group?

Management has launched a new five-year strategy focused on growth and transformation, including further investment in technology and expansion of its store network. In the first seven weeks of FY27, total group sales are up 3.5% compared to the prior year, with strong starts from Supercheap Auto and BCF, though Macpac continues to be impacted by mild weather in Australia.

The group expects to open a net 18 new stores in FY27 and plans further investment in network expansion and Project Ignite, its ongoing transformation program. Uncertainty remains, with external factors such as higher interest rates, fuel costs, and geopolitical tensions impacting consumer confidence.

Super Retail Group share price snapshot

The Super Retail Group share price has struggled over the past 12 months, losing around 25% of its value. This compares to a modest 1.5% gain by the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO).

View Original Announcement

The post Super Retail Group grows sales in FY26, dividend maintained amid growth plans appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Thursday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to rise

It looks set to be a good session for Australian investors on Thursday following a positive night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 28 points or 0.3% higher this morning. In the United States, the Dow Jones rose 0.2%, the S&P 500 climbed 0.2% and the Nasdaq pushed 0.15% higher.

ASX 200 result releases

Earnings season is going into overdrive on Thursday with a very large number of ASX 200 shares due to release their results. This includes Goodman Group (ASX: GMG), Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL), Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1), Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL), and Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP).

Oil prices rise

ASX 200 energy shares including Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a good session after oil prices rose overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 0.85% to US$85.65 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 0.5% to US$91.49 a barrel. This was driven by an escalation in Middle East tensions.

Buy Evolution Mining shares

Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) shares are in the buy zone according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, in response to the gold miner's record results, the broker has retained its buy rating with an improved price target of $15.55. It said: "EVN offers fully unhedged gold and copper exposure via a portfolio of high quality, long-life assets in Tier 1 jurisdictions, overseen by a high-quality management team. EVN has demonstrated its intention to increase shareholder returns and gold price exposure."

Gold price jumps

It could be a very positive session for ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) on Thursday after the gold price jumped overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 3.6% to US$4,581.1 an ounce. This was driven by a heavy decline in US bond yields and the US dollar.

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

That was a savage response to a result that looked solid at first glance.

The retailer delivered record sales, higher profit and a much larger dividend.

Investors sold it off anyway.

Here is what the company delivered, and why the market took such a dim view of it.

What JB Hi-Fi reported in FY26

Group sales rose 4.8% to a record $11.06 billion, whilst earnings before interest and tax lifted 3.8% to $734.4 million.

Net profit after tax landed at $489.9 million, which was 6.0% above FY25 statutory profit and 2.9% higher on an underlying basis.

The dividend was the highlight of the result. JB Hi-Fi lifted its payout ratio to 75% of net profit.

That pushed the full-year dividend to 337 cents per share, an increase of 62 cents or 22.5%.

The fully franked final dividend of 127 cents carries a record date of 28 August and will be paid on 11 September.

Every division except one grew.

JB Hi-Fi Australia increased sales 4.4% to $7.42 billion, with comparable sales up 3.2%. The Good Guys added 2.7% to reach $2.94 billion. New Zealand was the standout, with sales climbing 26% to NZ$499.5 million.

Only e&s went backwards, slipping 0.2% to $273.1 million.

Why the JB Hi-Fi share price fell so hard

The problem was not the financial year that just ended, but rather the one that has only just begun.

JB Hi-Fi Australia grew comparable sales 5.0% in the first half of FY26.

That growth then slowed to 2.6% in the third quarter. By the fourth quarter it had turned negative, falling 0.8%.

July offered no relief at all.

Comparable sales fell 1.4% at JB Hi-Fi Australia, 1.7% at The Good Guys and 4.0% at e&s.

New Zealand was the only division still growing, up 11.7%.

Group CEO Nick Wells acknowledged the turn in conditions:

Trading in the first half of the year was very strong with record sales and strong earnings. The second half of the year saw the onset of challenging macroeconomic and market conditions.

He also flagged a cost problem that is now reaching the shelves.

We continue to see variability in trading, with customers increasingly looking for value and migrating spend to key promotional events, along with impacts from supplier price rises and stock availability shortages in the technology categories.

Those supplier price rises are largely a memory chip story.

Global demand for hardware used in artificial intelligence data centres has pushed component costs sharply higher, which squeezes margins on laptops, televisions and gaming gear.

What this means for the JB Hi-Fi share price

Monday's fall was not an isolated wobble. The JB Hi-Fi share price is now down roughly 38% over the past 12 months.

It trades around 41% below its 52-week high of $121.00. The selling spread across the sector, too.

Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL) fell 6.6% on Monday ahead of its own result later this week.

For the optimists in the room, there remains a bull case.

JB Hi-Fi remains the dominant electronics retailer in Australia, it carries no meaningful debt, and it now returns three-quarters of its profit to shareholders.

At $71.65, the stock trades on a trailing dividend yield of roughly 4.7%.

However, if comparable sales stay negative while input costs keep climbing, FY27 earnings will go backwards.

Foolish takeaway

Monday's reaction says more about expectations than it does about the underlying business.

JB Hi-Fi has navigated soft consumer cycles before and taken market share back in the recovery process.

But the July trading update is a warning to investors.

Anyone buying this dip needs to accept that earnings may fall before they recover, and that the market will keep judging this company on future earnings rather than past earnings.

The post Why the JB Hi-Fi share price just suffered its worst day on record appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Solid results are being sold, and weak guidance is being punished without mercy.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has now fallen for four consecutive sessions, closing Monday at 9,073.2 points.

Here are five lessons from the first half of August.

Lesson 1: FY26 was fine, FY27 is the problem

Company after company has delivered a respectable full-year result, only to watch its share price fall on their expected outlook.

JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) is the clearest example.

The company reported record FY26 sales of $11.06 billion and lifted its dividend 22.5% to 337 cents per share.

The shares still crashed 12.3% on Monday, their worst day on record, after July comparable sales came in negative.

SEEK Ltd (ASX: SEK) was a similar story.

Revenue rose 10% to $1.2 billion and adjusted net profit jumped 28% to $199.1 million.

However, the shares fell 14.4% because FY27 guidance implied only single-digit growth from here.

Lesson 2: The consumer is the story of this reporting season

The most valuable information this month has come from trading updates, with consumer-facing stocks being particularly hard hit.

Premier Investments Ltd (ASX: PMV) cut its FY26 earnings guidance and posted its first annual sales decline in years.

Similarly, Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL) fell in sympathy with both.

The banks have not been immune either.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) revealed that mortgage applications had fallen 15% since the May Budget, with investor applications down 28%.

National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) also reported the same 15% decline in its third-quarter update.

Lesson 3: Capital returns are flowing freely

The operating outlook may be cautious, but corporate balance sheets are not.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) announced a fresh $1 billion buyback and lifted its full-year dividend 10.5% to 21 cents.

JB Hi-Fi raised its payout ratio to 75% of net profit.

For its part, Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN) added a 10 cent special dividend alongside a buyback of up to $250 million.

More than $2 billion of buybacks have been announced in the past fortnight alone.

Lesson 4: Being big does not protect you

CBA delivered a cash profit of $10,982 million, up 7.1%, and lifted its full-year dividend to $5.05. The shares fell 2.2% the following session anyway.

Telstra grew underlying EBITDAaL 4% to $8,341 million and still closed 3.2% lower on results day.

When expectations are already high, a good result may not always be enough.

Lesson 5: Volatility is at extraordinary levels

SEEK fell 14.4% to $13.76 on results day.

Two sessions later it rose 9.1% to $15.18.

Nothing changed about that business in 48 hours. The market simply changed its mind about what the FY27 guidance actually meant for investors, which tells you how thin conviction is across the market right now.

The reporting season week ahead

The next few days are the busiest of the entire reporting season.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) and Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) all report on Tuesday.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) follows on Thursday.

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG), Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL), Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) are all due before the end of the month.

Foolish takeaway

The pattern running through this reporting season is consistent enough to be useful.

Backward-looking numbers are being ignored, whereas forward-looking commentary is moving share prices significantly.

For long-term investors, this environment creates opportunity.

Quality businesses are being marked down heavily on a single soft quarter of trading.

The trick is to separate a cyclical wobble from a longer-term problem and identify ASX stocks that have been unfairly marked down.

The post Reporting season half-time report: 5 lessons from August so far appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Meanwhile, the ASX 200 Index drifted 0.73% lower to finish at 8,764.2 points on Friday.

Economic data released last week suggests the Reserve Bank (RBA) may keep interest rates on hold for a while.

Unemployment fell 0.1% to to 4.4% and annual inflation dropped 0.2% to 4% in May, according to the Bureau of Statistics.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) economist Ashwin Clarke said a 1.3% increase in household spending last month "surprised markets to the upside".

Analysts are pricing in an 81% chance that the RBA will keep interest rates on hold at the next meeting on 11 August.

This is why ASX 200 retail shares outperformed their peers last week.

Let's take a look at some individual company performances.

Consumer discretionary shares led the ASX sectors last week

The Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) share price rose 5.81% to finish at $90.74 on Friday.

Shares in gaming technology company Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL) lifted 6.81% to $58.69.

The Lottery Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLC) share price rose 1.26% to $5.63.

The JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) share price ascended 4.98% to $81.84 on Friday.

Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) shares increased 7.42% to $20.27.

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW) shares ripped 8.64% to $6.16.

The Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN) share price rose 1.04% to $4.88.

Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL) shares finished the week steady at $13.12.

ASX 200 travel share Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) managed a 0.52% lift to $11.99.

Shares in Premier Investments Ltd (ASX: PMV) rose 2.45% to $14.65.

Myer Holdings Ltd (ASX: MYR) shares rose 6.9% to close the week at 31 cents per share.

The Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG) share price inched 0.38% ahead to $31.43.

Not all ASX 200 retail shares followed the trend.

The Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW) share price tumbled 13.68% to $110.78.

Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE) shares dropped 4.5% to $21.43 apiece.

Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) shares eased 0.68% to $23.25.

ASX 200 market sector snapshot

Here's how the 11 market sectors stacked up last week, according to CommSec data.

Over the five trading days:

The post ASX 200 retail shares outperform on growing hopes interest rates have peaked appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Let's see if the broker is bullish, bearish, or something in between on these names. Here's what it is saying:

Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP)

Morgans highlights that trading conditions have been tougher than it expected for this pizza chain operator.

In response, the broker has downgraded Domino's shares to a hold rating (from buy) with a reduced price target of $17.60 (from $25.00). It said:

The trading environment for DMP has become more challenging than previously assumed, and we have updated our forecasts to reflect a weaker SSS (same-store-sales) outlook across all three regions, compounding cost pressures on ANZ franchisee economics, and a more adverse FX environment in Japan.

The earnings recovery, albeit modest, remains on track but it is entirely cost-driven; there is no volume improvement embedded in our numbers until outer years. We move to a HOLD rating until there is evidence of further cost management and SSS recovery. We reduce our price target to A$17.60 from A$25.00.

Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL)

The broker has been looking at this retail conglomerate's investor day update. While it left the event feeling encouraged, it isn't enough for a buy rating, especially in the tough consumer backdrop.

Morgans has retained its hold rating on Super Retail's shares with an improved price target of $12.30. It said:

SUL's Investor Day contained limited surprises, with the group setting out FY31 network targets as it looks to organically grow share (via network growth ~3% pa, and category/service expansion) and optimise the business (ERP/supply chains).

We left SUL's Investor Day encouraged by the clarity of the long-term organic growth strategy and the renewed management team tasked to execute. However, with valuation near our revised A$12.30ps price target, a softer consumer backdrop and lingering competitive pressures, we retain our Hold recommendation.

Symal Group Ltd (ASX: SYL)

Another ASX share that Morgans has been looking at is public and private infrastructure services company Symal.

Morgans is positive on the company and believes it is well-positioned to capture an increasing share of its total addressable market.

As a result, the broker has retained its buy rating and $3.35 price target on its shares. It commented:

In this note, we update our forecasts to better reflect the timing of recent acquisition settlements, along with an anticipated increase in D&A and interest expenses. While incrementally positive for FY27/28 EBITDA, the higher D&A sees our underlying NPAT decline by mid-single digits. From a valuation perspective, the roll-forward of the valuation date offsets the impact of lower earnings.

More broadly, our investment theme remains intact, with SYL forecast to capture an increasing share of the total addressable market across the key verticals of infrastructure, digital, energy and defence. Supported by additional M&A, the business could deliver early on its FY30 aspirational EBITDA target of $200m. On this basis, we reiterate our BUY recommendation, with a $3.35/sh price target.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Domino's, Super Retail, and Symal shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Consumer staples shares weren't far behind, surging 7.62%.

Meanwhile, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) rose 2.07% to 8,804 points by Friday's close.

Experts are now predicting an eventual cut for interest rates due to crumbling consumer confidence and low GDP growth.

Consumer sentiment fell in May to one of its weakest levels ever in the 50-year history of the benchmark monthly survey.

Softer-than-expected inflation also enhances the case for rates to be kept on hold or cut at some point.

Annual headline inflation fell to 4.2% in April, down from 4.6% in March, according to Bureau of Statistics figures.

On Friday, the ASX 200 rallied 1.98% after US President Donald Trump said a peace deal with Iran could be reached this weekend.

This would likely lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route that carries 20% of the world's oil and gas.

The ongoing oil shock has contributed to resurgent inflation and three interest rate increases in Australia this year.

The Reserve Bank will announce the next interest rate decision on Tuesday.

It may seem counterintuitive that signs of economic weakness boosted ASX 200 retail shares last week.

But remember, share markets tend to look six to 12 months into the future.

Thus, economic weakness today is pushing retail stocks up as investors anticipate a greater likelihood of interest rate cuts.

Let's see how some individual retail stocks performed last week.

Consumer discretionary shares led the ASX sectors last week

The Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) share price leapt 9.55% over the short trading week to finish at $86.47.

Shares in gaming technology company Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL) rose 5.07% to $53.91.

The Lottery Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLC) share price soared 8.81% to $5.68.

The Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW) share price ripped 9.8% higher to $127.26.

JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) shares ascended 7.6% to finish the week at $77.24.

The Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN) share price increased 7.88% to $4.79.

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW) shares soared 13.09% to $5.27.

The Nick Scali Limited (ASX: NCK) share price rocketed 11.71% to $15.46.

Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE) shares rose 7.06% to $22.29.

The Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL) share price lifted 8.39% to $12.27.

Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) shares surged 8.66% to $22.20 apiece.

ASX 200 travel share Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) edged 0.36% higher to $11.07.

The Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) share price lifted 3.63% to $19.40.

ASX 200 market sector snapshot

Here's how the 11 market sectors stacked up last week, according to CommSec data.

Over the shortened trading week:

The post Why did ASX 200 retail shares outperform last week? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Here's what's been stoking investor interest this week.

Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL)

Super Retail shares closed last Friday trading for $11.32. At the time of writing, shares are changing hands for $12.42. That sees this ASX 200 stock up 9.7% for the week.

The ASX retail giant, whose brands include Supercheap Auto, Macpac, Rebel, and BCF, has finished in the green every day this week.

On Thursday, the company made financial headlines following the release of its new five-year growth strategy.

The company is aiming to increase its store numbers from 790 to more than 900 by 2031.

"Our new group strategy puts the customer at the centre of everything we do as we build our business for its next phase of growth," Super Retail CEO Paul Bradshaw said.

"This will require deliberate short-term investments in our systems and unlock a sustainable cost advantage over time," he added.

Super Retail expects the transformation project to cost around $30 million a year for the next three years.

Lendlease Group (ASX: LLC)

The second ASX 200 stock racing higher this week on big news is property developer and investment manager Lendlease.

Lendlease shares closed last Friday trading for $2.46 and are currently swapping hands for $2.84 each. This sees the Lendlease share price up 15.5% for the week.

Lendlease shares have finished in the green every day this week and closed up 4.6% on Thursday following a major leadership announcement.

The company revealed that Tony Lombardo will step down from the top role before the end of the month. Nick O'Neil will take over as CEO and managing director starting on 10 September.

Currently the head of Australian Real Assets at Australian Super, O'Neil has more than 25 years of experience across corporate and investment strategy, M&A, governance, capital markets, and real asset management.

Lendlease also reaffirmed its full-year FY 2026 earnings guidance for its IDC business at 28 cents to 34 cents per share.

Which brings us to…

ASX 200 stock Steadfast Group Ltd (ASX: SDF) leads the pack

Leading the pack higher this week is insurance brokerage company Steadfast Group.

Steadfast shares closed last week at $3.96 and are currently trading for $5.23 each. That puts this ASX 200 stock up an impressive 32.1% over four trading days.

Steadfast shares closed up 36.2% on Wednesday, after the company announced that it had received a conditional, non-binding, and indicative takeover offer from Amwins and Dragoneer.

The consortium is seeking to acquire 100% of Steadfast's shares for $6 a share. That represents a 51.9% premium to Steadfast's closing price on Tuesday.

The post 3 ASX 200 stocks leaping higher this week on big announcements appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four ASX shares that are not letting that hold them back are named below. Here's why they are rising:

Lendlease Group (ASX: LLC)

The Lendlease share price is up over 2% to $2.68. This follows the announcement of its new CEO and the release of a trading update. With respect to the latter, Lendlease reaffirmed its Investments, Development and Construction segment FY 2026 earnings per share guidance of 28 cents to 34 cents. This is subject to targeted completions. In addition, it revealed that underlying group gearing is expected in the mid-30% range. Earlier in the day, the company revealed that Nick O'Neil will become its new CEO from 10 September. Lendlease chair, John Gillam, said: "With our strategy reset, portfolio simplification and foundations firmly in place, Nick is ideally positioned to lead the next phase of revitalising and strengthening Lendlease. He brings deep real asset management experience, a strong track record in global investment and innovation in aligning capital to market opportunities, as well as the leadership experience needed to drive execution and growth."

Meteoric Resources NL (ASX: MEI)

The Meteoric Resources share price is up 7% to 15.5 cents. This morning, the rare earths developer released an update on its Caldeira Rare Earth Project in Brazil. It revealed that its pilot plant achieved outstanding MREO recoveries of 80% during May. Meteoric's managing director and CEO, Stuart Gale, said: "Results from our first five months of Pilot Plant operation have been excellent and exceed our expectations. It has validated the investment Meteoric has made in metallurgical and process testwork, along with the assumptions made in our studies to date."

Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL)

The Super Retail share price is up 1.5% to $12.44. This follows the unveiling of a new strategy from the retail conglomerate this morning. Super Retail's new strategy outlines how it intends to capture a greater share of its $65 billion addressable market opportunity across automotive, sport, and outdoor. This will be through growth in its core categories and expansion into adjacent categories within those markets. The company's CEO, Paul Bradshaw, said: "Our new Group Strategy puts the customer at the centre of everything we do as we build our business for its next phase of growth. We are determined to be closer to our customers than ever before – understanding and meeting their needs as they continue to evolve. Together, our four brands capture $4 billion of a $65 billion market opportunity in Australia and New Zealand. We have an incredible opportunity to pursue growth across our core auto, sport and outdoor markets, both in traditional and adjacent categories."

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

The Woodside Energy share price is up 1.5% to $31.53. Investors have been buying the energy giant's shares after oil prices jumped in response to an escalation in tensions in the Middle East. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy index is up 1.5% at the time of writing.

The post Why Lendlease, Meteoric Resources, Super Retail, and Woodside shares are rising today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

At the time of writing, the ASX 200 stock is up 3% to $12.62.

Why is this ASX 200 stock charging higher?

Investors have been buying the retail conglomerate's shares after its release of a new group strategy went down well with the market/ was overshadowed by a selloff on Wall Street overnight which has spread to the local bourse.

The ASX 200 stock's new strategy outlines how it intends to capture a greater share of its $65 billion addressable market opportunity across automotive, sport, and outdoor through growth in its core categories and expansion into adjacent categories within those markets.

New strategy

There are four key drivers of brand growth within the strategy.

The first aims to expand Supercheap Auto's range to capture more of the brands that its customers want. This includes a focus on meeting future demand created through growth in electric vehicles.

Supercheap Auto plans to introduce new store formats and extend fitment capabilities to a broader range of existing products.

Another is a step change in growth for rebel's store network with a stronger focus on regional opportunities. It will also double down on range optimisation and a relentless focus on owning sport.

Another initiative will see the ASX 200 stock extend BCF's roll out of superstores, as well as new large-format stores, and unlocking access to the 4WD market through fitment.

The final initiative will be the ongoing growth of Macpac's store network, increasing its brand awareness in Australia, and a continued focus on technical product innovation.

The company notes that this means the store portfolio is planned to increase from 790 stores to over 900 stores by 2031, focusing on opportunities in underrepresented regional areas, new formats and fitment alongside increased online penetration.

This will be supported by a disciplined store renewal program, optimising store space, expanding the offer in key locations and online. It also expects the increased store footprint to enable the accelerated growth of the brands omni-channel offers, expanding the customer reach for click and collect.

'Significant transformation'

Super Retail Group's managing director and CEO, Paul Bradshaw, appears very positive on the new strategy. He said:

Our new Group Strategy puts the customer at the centre of everything we do as we build our business for its next phase of growth. We are determined to be closer to our customers than ever before – understanding and meeting their needs as they continue to evolve. Together, our four brands capture $4 billion of a $65 billion market opportunity in Australia and New Zealand. We have an incredible opportunity to pursue growth across our core auto, sport and outdoor markets, both in traditional and adjacent categories.

Our 13 million active club members account for 85% of our sales and these deep customer relationships are a clear competitive advantage. Our strategy focuses on building businesses that best serve our customers and their communities through range, store format, brand networks and fitment, and importantly meeting them where and how they shop. We have launched a significant transformation program to help power this growth. This will require deliberate short-term investments in our systems and unlock a sustainable cost advantage over time.

The post Guess which ASX 200 stock is avoiding the selloff and charging higher on big news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Super Retail Group report?

• Unveiled a five-year plan to grow across its auto, sport, and outdoor businesses
• Set targets to expand store numbers from 790 to over 900 by 2031
• Announced the Ignite program, aiming for around $75 million in annual cost savings by FY29
• Annual capital expenditure forecast at approximately $150 million
• Transformation project expected to cost $30 million per year for the next three years

What else do investors need to know?

Super Retail Group is focusing on expanding Supercheap Auto's product range, particularly to capture growth in electric vehicles and introduce new store formats. Its rebel brand is set for increased regional expansion and "owning sport," while BCF will push into the 4WD market and open more large-format stores.

The Macpac brand will keep growing its network and building recognition in Australia, with a focus on high-tech product innovation. Group-wide, these moves will lift Super Retail Group's store and online presence, helping reach more customers through omni-channel initiatives such as click and collect.

What did Super Retail Group management say?

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Paul Bradshaw said:

Our new Group Strategy puts the customer at the centre of everything we do as we build our business for its next phase of growth… We have launched a significant transformation program to help power this growth. This will require deliberate short-term investments in our systems and unlock a sustainable cost advantage over time.

What's next for Super Retail Group?

Looking ahead, Super Retail Group plans to fund its strategic investments within its existing capital expenditure envelope, keeping project costs disciplined. Management anticipates the Ignite program will both modernise workflows and drive operational savings to reinvest in further growth.

Investors can expect the Group to focus on scaling its brands and deepening customer engagement across both physical stores and online, with particular attention to underrepresented regions and new store formats.

Super Retail Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Super Retail shares have declined 16%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 1% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Super Retail Group outlines 5-year growth strategy and transformation plans appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

It was a bit of a wild session for the ASX 200 today, with the index dipping into the red at one point. But investors regained their optimism, and the index finished 0.57% higher at 8,653.3 points.

This successful session for Australian investors comes after a mixed night on the American markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) fared decently, rising by 0.17%.

However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) went the other way, dropping a chunky 0.97%.

But let's return to the local markets now and dive a little deeper into what the different ASX sectors were up to today.

Winners and losers

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.